IN YOUR OPINION

Letters to the Editor for March 11, 2013

Published: Monday, March 11, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 11:10 p.m.

I read with interest the March 6 letter entitled “Sinkholes.” I don't believe policyholders realize there are two separate sinkhole policies — one being catastrophic and the other comprehensive.

A catastrophic policy will cover your home when a huge sinkhole swallows the home and it's condemned. The comprehensive policy covers your home if it has structural damage due to the ground moving or sinking slightly and needs a structure repair company, but is not serious enough for catastrophic.

When I went to renew my coverage this year, I was told comprehensive coverage was no longer included, and I couldn't get it at all in Marion County because of history regarding so many sinkholes. I have, however, the option of paying $140 for an inspector to come and inspect my house for a comprehensive rider, but chances are my house wouldn't pass inspection because of the stringent rules insurance companies put on inspections — and I would be stuck with a $140 bill.

There are many cases of homes sinking a small amount and causing thousands and thousands of dollars for homeowners who didn't have comprehensive coverage and their catastrophic coverage wouldn't cover it. Marion County homeowners are out of luck for comprehensive sinkhole coverage. Check your policies. Just having sinkhole coverage will not cover it. You need both for complete coverage. I agree with the writer of “Sinkholes”; a consumer protection group should be looking into this.

Carol Wills

Ocala

Empty House

Maybe the writer of the letter “Risky business” never had a teacher teach him that the president doesn't just wake up in the morning and say, “I think that I will send $50 million to the Syrian rebels and then I'll send $250 million to Egypt. I know that they need it and we have plenty!”

The writer should be made aware that his party is the party that sits on their hands and draws their paycheck in while House of Representatives for saying NO is paramount in authorizing these gifts. And, may I add, that that is the same party that decided to close down business and go on vacation while our own citizens were in dire need for help in the Northeast after Sandy!

T.L. Hapner

Fort McCoy

Heart, brain and body

I have seen the power of music, and it has touched my heart deeply.

It's a true privilege for me to sing for the residents in assisted living and memory care units around Ocala, and it's these experiences that opened my eyes and heart to a new understanding of music's power.

For an hour, I watch these people come alive with rhythm, smile from fond memories, sing along every word with me and tell me afterwards some cute story a song reminded them of.

These old songs are sparking electrical brain neurons, making connections with deep buried memories and of songs learned by heart as a child, so it stimulates brain activity.

I tell my audience that music touches three things: your heart, your brain and your body.

I cry every time they played “Don't Take the Girl” and I'm a 10-year-old girl when I hear “He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother” and I think of my brother Mike, far away.

Music has the power to soothe the savage beast.

One staff member saw me coming and said, “Oh good, now they won't be sad for an hour.” That had a profound effect on me. I'm not just entertaining them, I'm taking them on a trip!

Music is for humans only, and by that I mean if I turn on the radio in the woods, the animals don‘t bust a move or tap their toes. It's for us! I've seen a 9-month-old dance and a 90-year-old.

It is one of life's greatest pleasures. Schools have already taken the most fun, socially fundamental programs from children such as recess, now they want to take out more.

Didn't all the grown-ups running the schools have recess, music, art and libraries? How can they take it away from this generation?

Joy Rumans

Ocala

Obama's devious plan

In the State of the Union address last month, we were once again given an insight into President Obama's plan for this country. He wants new investment money for infrastructure, education, renewable energy (think Solyndra) and so forth.

He does not seem to understand that we do not have the money for this new spending. The national debt is already up by over 50 percent under Obama, and it is climbing at a rate of $1 trillion-plus annually. This country is on a path to total financial ruin.

Let me give you a prognostication on what I think he has planned. He will keep spending and borrowing until there is nothing left. Then, he will speak to us from the Oval Office and tell us that; “Because House Republicans refused to raise taxes on anyone making over $250,000 (these folks already pay almost 70 percent of all income taxes), I now need to raise taxes on everyone. I know I promised that I would never raise taxes on the middle class, but we have now reached a point where our financial future is in jeopardy.”

If Obama gets these new taxes, he will achieve exactly what he's been after all along — the money needed to continue his liberal/progressive/socialist agenda, and the destruction of our great nation. At that point, unfortunately, the only HOPE we'll have is that there will be some CHANGE left over so we can all start panhandling at the intersection of I-75 and State Road 40.

<p><b>Sunk on sinkholes</b></p><p>I read with interest the March 6 letter entitled “Sinkholes.” I don't believe policyholders realize there are two separate sinkhole policies — one being catastrophic and the other comprehensive.</p><p>A catastrophic policy will cover your home when a huge sinkhole swallows the home and it's condemned. The comprehensive policy covers your home if it has structural damage due to the ground moving or sinking slightly and needs a structure repair company, but is not serious enough for catastrophic.</p><p>When I went to renew my coverage this year, I was told comprehensive coverage was no longer included, and I couldn't get it at all in Marion County because of history regarding so many sinkholes. I have, however, the option of paying $140 for an inspector to come and inspect my house for a comprehensive rider, but chances are my house wouldn't pass inspection because of the stringent rules insurance companies put on inspections — and I would be stuck with a $140 bill.</p><p>There are many cases of homes sinking a small amount and causing thousands and thousands of dollars for homeowners who didn't have comprehensive coverage and their catastrophic coverage wouldn't cover it. Marion County homeowners are out of luck for comprehensive sinkhole coverage. Check your policies. Just having sinkhole coverage will not cover it. You need both for complete coverage. I agree with the writer of “Sinkholes”; a consumer protection group should be looking into this.</p><p><i>Carol Wills</p><p>Ocala </i></p><p><b>Empty House</b></p><p>Maybe the writer of the letter “Risky business” never had a teacher teach him that the president doesn't just wake up in the morning and say, “I think that I will send $50 million to the Syrian rebels and then I'll send $250 million to Egypt. I know that they need it and we have plenty!”</p><p>The writer should be made aware that his party is the party that sits on their hands and draws their paycheck in while House of Representatives for saying NO is paramount in authorizing these gifts. And, may I add, that that is the same party that decided to close down business and go on vacation while our own citizens were in dire need for help in the Northeast after Sandy!</p><p><i>T.L. Hapner</p><p>Fort McCoy</i></p><p><b>Heart, brain and body</b></p><p>I have seen the power of music, and it has touched my heart deeply. </p><p>It's a true privilege for me to sing for the residents in assisted living and memory care units around Ocala, and it's these experiences that opened my eyes and heart to a new understanding of music's power.</p><p>For an hour, I watch these people come alive with rhythm, smile from fond memories, sing along every word with me and tell me afterwards some cute story a song reminded them of. </p><p>These old songs are sparking electrical brain neurons, making connections with deep buried memories and of songs learned by heart as a child, so it stimulates brain activity.</p><p>I tell my audience that music touches three things: your heart, your brain and your body. </p><p>I cry every time they played “Don't Take the Girl” and I'm a 10-year-old girl when I hear “He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother” and I think of my brother Mike, far away.</p><p>Music has the power to soothe the savage beast.</p><p>One staff member saw me coming and said, “Oh good, now they won't be sad for an hour.” That had a profound effect on me. I'm not just entertaining them, I'm taking them on a trip!</p><p>Music is for humans only, and by that I mean if I turn on the radio in the woods, the animals don't bust a move or tap their toes. It's for us! I've seen a 9-month-old dance and a 90-year-old.</p><p>It is one of life's greatest pleasures. Schools have already taken the most fun, socially fundamental programs from children such as recess, now they want to take out more.</p><p>Didn't all the grown-ups running the schools have recess, music, art and libraries? How can they take it away from this generation?</p><p><i>Joy Rumans</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p><b>Obama's devious plan</b></p><p>In the State of the Union address last month, we were once again given an insight into President Obama's plan for this country. He wants new investment money for infrastructure, education, renewable energy (think Solyndra) and so forth.</p><p>He does not seem to understand that we do not have the money for this new spending. The national debt is already up by over 50 percent under Obama, and it is climbing at a rate of $1 trillion-plus annually. This country is on a path to total financial ruin.</p><p>Let me give you a prognostication on what I think he has planned. He will keep spending and borrowing until there is nothing left. Then, he will speak to us from the Oval Office and tell us that; “Because House Republicans refused to raise taxes on anyone making over $250,000 (these folks already pay almost 70 percent of all income taxes), I now need to raise taxes on everyone. I know I promised that I would never raise taxes on the middle class, but we have now reached a point where our financial future is in jeopardy.”</p><p>If Obama gets these new taxes, he will achieve exactly what he's been after all along — the money needed to continue his liberal/progressive/socialist agenda, and the destruction of our great nation. At that point, unfortunately, the only HOPE we'll have is that there will be some CHANGE left over so we can all start panhandling at the intersection of I-75 and State Road 40.</p><p><i>Dennis P. Birdsall</p><p>Rainbow Springs</i></p>